This week's VC releases: prove you're tough edition

A new challenger, Gate of Thunder, has entered the Virtual Console's already formidable shmup cage match. One ofthe pack-in release games for the TurboDuo, Gate of Thunder is an excellent, albeit unoriginal game that a lot of dyed-in-the-wool shooter fans have proclaimed absolutely perfect. To save you the trouble of actually playing it, I included a spoilerific video above of some internet chump beating the whole thing from start to end. Now you can flex like you're hardcore without doing the leg work. "Oh yeah, man. That 7th level boss was so cheap, but it was worth it for the Hard Rock Cafe soundtrack."

If lazing your blazers doesn't do it for you, Nintendo also released the second NES installment in the RyuHayabusa saga, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, as well as Metal Marines, a turn-based strategy game for the Super NES. Between the three of these, you can add a lot of nerd cred to your VC channels today in one fell swoop.

Does the inclusion of a TurboDuo game this week serve as a harbinger for future CD-ROM releases on the Virtual Console? Are we going to see our beloved Cho Aniki installment anytime soon? More importantly, does today's thumb-blistering line-up qualify as the Best Week Ever? It's been a decent few weeks here for the Virtual Console, between the import games, the Neo Geo games, and now the TurboDuo. Maybe it's about time for a Best Month Ever award. We'll have to wait until next Monday to hear the honorable Judge Concelmo's verdict, but in the meantime you can hit the jump for Nintendo's weekly VC press release in its full glory.

This week marks the first appearance of a CD-ROM game for the TurboGrafx16 on Virtual Console™. Take control of the Hunting Dog ship and battle deadly Obbellon fighters in the classic horizontal sci-fi shooter, Gate of Thunder. If shooting's not your thing, you can go out and save the world from evil demons or a power-hungry general in this week's other offerings that bolster the Wii Shop Channel's catalog of action-adventure and real-time strategy games.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Ninja Gaiden II™: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): In Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, a new villain, Ashtar, is revealed. Take on the role of Ryu Hayabusa and rescue Irene Lew, a former CIA agent, from Ashtar. Destroy the Sword of Chaos, a weapon of great power forged from the bone of a demon. Use techniques such as the Fire Wheel or the Windmill Throwing Star and attack while holding on to walls and ladders. Use the most innovative technique of all - the ability to create Shadow Clones, orange shadow versions of Ryu that will constantly follow him, repeating previous actions (moving or attacking) in a delayed cycle. Once again defeat henchmen, creatures and bosses with new fighting techniques and even more weapons as you progress through multiple stages on your way to destroying Ashtar, Jaquio and the Realm of Chaos.

Metal Marines® (Super NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Set in the near future, most of Earth's land has been disintegrated in the chaos of the Anti-matter War. This real-time strategy game portrays the Colonies' Allied Force - the Metal Marines - in their epic struggle against General Zorgeuf and the Imperial Federation, who are bent on world domination. Commanding the Metal Marines across a series of battles, the player must strategically allocate resources, ready supplies, manage funds and move troops in an effort to outwit and outmove the opponent. The real-time battle system rewards split-second decisions and adaptability in the struggle for military superiority. Unlike most turn-based strategy games, Metal Marines engrosses the player in a fast-paced and frantic battle in which both sides advance simultaneously. A constant eye must be kept on enemy movements to maintain a formidable defense and not miss the perfect chance to strike. Strategic foresight and quick judgment hold the key to victory.

Gate of Thunder (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): The legendary sci-fi shooter is back! Gate of Thunder is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter that places you in control of special undercover agent Hawk, whose mission is to stop the deadly army of Obbellon fighters. Jump into the action as Hawk gets aboard his ship, the Hunting Dog, and heads out toward the enemy. Blast through stages while effectively using all three of the weapons at your disposal and receiving support from ally Wild Cat ships. Switch through equippable power-up options on the fly to change the direction of your attack. You'll have to blast in front of and behind you to survive all seven stages. Hard-core shooting-game fans looking for a challenge can select HARD or DEVIL mode to experience even more intense action!